IT was all bright smiles on Saturday when a new dental practise held an open day in Lychpit.

East Barn Dental Clinic, which is located in an attractive listed building, just off Great Binfields Road, is a new business venture owned by Max and Maria Atkinson.

For the past 26 years the pair have run a successful multi service dental laboratory, currently based in Murrell Green Business Park, near Hook, called Maxim Dental Studio.

Max has plans to eventually relocate the lab to East Barn.

The barn itself, which is believed to be around 300 years old and was previously used as a doctors’ surgery, unexpectedly led Max to fulfil an ambition.

He said: “To find East Barn on the market and my desire to have a dental practice of my own all came together – it was fate.”

Max said he held an open day to introduce local residents to the new dental practise and offer them an opportunity to register as patients.

“We are an affordable independent practice, where we offer a full range of services for the whole family, with the aim of making sure young teeth are cared for and more mature teeth are retained,” explained Max.

“We’re not NHS, but our prices are not far off NHS prices for basic treatment and we do offer a monthly payment scheme.”

The practise also provides cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth straightening and veneers along with providing dentures.

Delighted with the turnout for the open day, Max said: “The event gave local people an opportunity to look around the practice, meet the team, including our hygienist and practise manager Nicky Pratt, who was on hand to answer questions.”